Combination stepladder



0 10, 1950 LS1 YR 2,525,104

COMBINATION STEPLADDER Filed Oct. 23, 1946 t H I 47; 7

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'stepladders of varying sizes.

Patented Oct. 10, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim. (01. 228.--26)..

This invention relates to improvements in a combination stepladder, and more particularly to a stepladder that may readily be adjusted to 1 perform in a multiplicity of diiferent ways and for different purposes, although the invention will have other uses and purposes as will be moreapparent to one skilled in the art.-

In the past, stepladders, especially those for household use, have been objectionable particularly in that they were not as versatile as desired. In many cases, stepladders of the type formerly known were ob jectionably complicated to expand and anchor securely in operative position, and were extremely difficult to use in close quarters. Further, the user could only mount or descend from the ladder on one side thereof,

and the top step or upper platform could not often be used because of instability of the ladder. Again, itfrequently occurs that a stepladder is slightly too short for .a particular use, and it is certainly not feasible to have on hand several In addition, stepladders of the character heretofore known had cross connections between the front and rear portions of the ladder at an objectionably low height, so that it was virtually impossible to properly seat the ladder over an obstruction. such as a fence, if the ladder were used outside.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instant invention to provide a combination stepladder which may be used in the customary manner as a stepladder, which may be used as an extension ladder, and which may be vision of a combination stepladder embodying two ladder portions connected together for use as a stepladder, and in which the rear ladder portion may be moved vertically relatively to used as two separate ladders, depending upon the particular requirements of the occasion of use.

vision of a stepladder including both a front and rear ladder portion connected together at the top for expansion into inverted V-shape, and so constructed that a user can mount or descend from the stepladder at either side.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a combination stepladder embodying both a front and rear ladder portion joined totion so that an extension ladder arrangementmay easily be had.

Also an object of this invention is the pro'-' Another object of this invention is the pro-' the forward ladder portion so that an extension ladder may be arranged, the rear ladder portion carrying ,means to pass by the steps or loadbearing member of the other ladder portion go-- ing upward, but which will automatically lock the position for extension ladder use upon a downward movement.

Another feature of the instant invention is the provision of a combination stepladder embodying two separate ladder portions removably connected together at the top and which may be spread into inverted V-shape, with means to automatically lock the ladders in that position against unintentional closing movement.

Still another feature of this invention is the provision of a stepladder embodying a ladder section and a supporting section with an upper platform carried by the supporting section of sufficient width to overlie and seat intimately on top of the upper step of the ladder section when the two sections are expanded into inverted V position for use, to thereby add to the stability of the structure as a whole.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a stepladder which may conveniently be used as a portable stile, the connections between the sections of the ladder being so near the. top of the; ladder as not to interfere with seating the ladder over a fence or the like.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a combination stepladder embodying a front ladder section having a series of" steps therein, and a rear ladder section having a. series of rungs therein, the steps being so" shaped as to project between the side rails of the: rear ladder section when the two sections are inv intimate relationship, thereby permitting the folding of the ladder into an extremely compact form, and also offering stability to the structure when the rear ladder portion is elevated with respect to. the front ladder portion to provide an extension ladder arrangement.

Still another feature of this invention resides I in the provision of a combination stepladder embodying two ladder sections which may be adjusted' to inverted V-position, or moved verti' call=y relatively to each other to provide an extension ladder, there being an interlock arrangement. between the ladder sections at the tops thereof which permits the ladders to be spread apart, but prevents relative vertical movement between the ladder sections unless the interlock arrangement is manually released.

Still a further object of this invention resides in the provision of a combination stepladder which is sturdy in construction, highly durable, economical to manufacture, and which may readily be adjusted for any of a multiplicity of different uses.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics, and advantages of the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a projectional view of a stepladder embodying the principles of the instant invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view through the ladder, taken substantially as indicated by the line IIII of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the top central portion of the ladder when in the positionseen in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the combination stepladder when folded for storage purposes;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the combination stepladder adjusted to function as an extension ladder;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through the lower portion of the two ladder sections of Figure 5, illustrating how the raised section is interlocked with a step of the lower section;

' Figure 7 is an enlarged plan sectional view illustrating the structure of Figure 6, and taken substantially as indicated by the line VII-VII of Figure 5; and v Figure 8 is an enlarged bottom plan sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line VIIIVIII of Figure 4.

As shown on the drawings: I

In the illustrated embodiment of the instant invention there is shown a combination stepladder including a front ladder part or section generally indicated by numeral l, and a rear ladder part or section generally indicated by numeral 2. -As will more fully later appear herein, each of these sections may be used separately as separate ladders, if so desired.

.The forward ladder part or section I embodies a pair of side rails 3 and 4 which diverge toward the base of the section. Carried by these side rails in any suitable manner, such as the customary notches in the side rails with laterally directed nails or securing elements 5 (Figure 4), is a series of spaced load-supporting steps 6. Below the tops of the side rails 3 and 4 the steps 6 are all of the same general character, only varying slightly in size in accordance with the varying distance between the rails 3 and 4. At the very tops of the rails a step I is provided, which is the same in character as the steps 6, but which does not project rearwardly beyond the side rails. As seen best in Figure 2, this step I i preferably flush with the top edges of the side rails 3 and 4.

The rear ladder part or section 2 embodies a pair of side rails 8 and 9 between which are-a series of spaced rungs I 0. rails 8 and 9 are parallel to each other. At the tops of the side rails 8 and .9 a platform I I is secured. The upper ends .of these side rails are cut off on a slant, so that the platform I I, as bestseen' in Figure 4, projects at an'angle to the Preferably, the side axis of the ladder section. However, when the two ladder sections are spread to the inverted V-shape seen in Figures 1 and 2, the platform I l seats firmly on top of the upper step 1 of the front ladder section, thus adding to the stability of the structure when used as a stepladder. With reference more particularly to Figure 8, it will be seen that the platform II is preferably of sufficient size to project laterally beyond the side rails of both ladder sections.

The two ladder sections are connected together near their tops by means of a pair of holding members I2 and I3 securely attached to one of the ladder sections. In the illustrated instance, this is the front section, and the holding elements [2 and I3 are attached to the side rails 3 and 4 respectively, by any suitable means such as screws I4 seen clearly in Figure 8. As best seen in this same figure, each holding member is preferably an elongated metallic element with the free end turned inwardly into substantially a U shape, as indicated at l5, such free end em.- bracing the respective side rail 8 or 9 of the rear ladder section. Now with reference more particularly to Figure 2, it will be seen that each of the side rails on the rear ladder section is pro-.

vided with a notch I6 leading inwardly from the outside edge of of the rail. When the complete stepladder is folded, as seen in Figure 4, it will be noted that the holding members l2 and I3 are disposed about the rear ladder rails above the notch, but when it is desired to spread the ladder for use, the rear section is elevated slightly,

relatively to the front section during the spreading movement, and the holding members I2 and I3 fall into the notches I6. Again referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that each notch is provided with a recess II extending downwardly from the bottom of the notch. This recess is so positioned and of such size that a holding mem her will not drop into the recess. However, there is a spring detent I8 adjacent the recess, and

this detent'is shaped so that it inherently as-' sumes a position out of the recess. As the respective holding member falls into the notch, it

passes by the resilient detent and is locked in' position as seen in Figure 2 so that there is no danger of the ladder accidentally folding while in use. A cross bar I9 extends entirely across the rear ladder section and is secured to both detents I8. It is a simple expedient when it'is desired to again fold the ladder, to press down on the cross bar [9 and urge the detents into the recesses II below the notches I 6, and thus permit the holding members I2 and I3 to leave the notches and assume the position seen in Figure 4. It should be especially noted that the locking of the holding members with the det'ents when the ladder is spread for use is entirely automatic.

As indicated above, the rear ladder section 2 is vertically slidable relatively to the front ladder section I. In so sliding, the rear ladder section moves upwardly inside the holding members I2 and I3. This enables the combination stepladder to be used in the manner ofan extension ladder. especially in the home, it is desirable to have a ladderthat is longer than the commonly available stepladder. is a simple expedient to convert it into an extension ladder and, with the exception of the distance to a single step on the front ladder sec-,

Frequently, in the use of a stepladden With the instant invention, it

l r l l figures, it will be seen that the rear section carries! a cross bar 29 each end of which is extended inwardly as indicated at 21, and is provided on its tip with a downwardly projecting detent or lug 22 which may seat in a hole 23 in one of the steps 8 on the front ladder section. At each end thereof, the rod or bar is pivoted as indicated at 24 and the rear portion is pulled downwardly against a stop member 25 by a suitable tension spring 25. When the rear ladder section 2 is elevated relatively to the front ladder section, the two projecting portions 2l2! of the bar 20 are pivoted by the steps 5 against the action of the springs 2B2fi. that upon any downward movement of the ladder part 2 relatively to the ladder part I, the detents or lugs 22 on the ends of the arms 2l2l automatically seat in the holes 23 on the next adjacent step and secure the ladder sections together in position for use as an extension ladder. To lower the ladder to original position, it is a simple expedient to elevate the rear section slightly, and then press upwardly on the bar 20, holding the bar in that position until the ladder sections are again in compact position as seen in Figure 4.

With reference more particularly to Figures 6 and 7, it will be seen that each of the steps 9 of the front ladder section has a portion 21 extending rearwardly between the side rails 8 and 8 of the rear ladder section. There is a reasonably intimate fit of the portions 2'! of all of the steps 6 between the side rails of the rear ladder section. This intimate fit permits a greater degree of folding of the ladder into compact form, as seen in Figure 4, and further acts to better stabilize the two ladder sections when used as an extension ladder as viewed in Figure 5.

In some instances it is desirable to have the benefit of two separate ladders rather than a single stepladder. When such an occasion arises, it is a simple expedient with the instant invention to elevate the rear ladder section 2 until it is completely withdrawn from engagement with the holding members l2 and I3, and then each ladder section may be used as a separate ladder.

To aid in transporting the ladder when in folded position, a suitable latching element is provided. A stud-retaining member 28 may be secured in the under face of the top step 1 of the front ladder face. Engageable around the shank of this stud is a hasp or latching member 29 having its rear end turned outwardly and locked beneath suitable stirrups secured in the under side of the platform II, as indicated at 30 in Figures 2, 3 and 8. It will be noted from the showing in these figures that the hasp or latching member 29 is of sufiicient length to permit spreading of the ladder sections into the position of Figure 1 for use as a stepladder without the need of disengaging the member 29 from the retaining element 28. However, unless disengaged, the latch 29 prevents one of the ladder sections from moving vertically relatively to the other ladder section, and so it is a simple expedient to carry the folded ladder merely by lifting on the under side of the platform ll.

Another and important advantage of the instant invention is apparent from the showing in However, it will be noted Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings wherein it will be seen that at no time are the ladder sections connected together except immediately below the top step 1. The structure is perfectly stable, and even more so than ladders heretofore known, by virtue of the locking engagement of the holding members I2 and I3 and by virtue of the platform I I resting solidly upon the top step 1. Below the holding members 12 and 13 the space between the ladder sections is free and unrestricted, and so the entire structure may readily be placed overtop a fence to function as a stile. This is very handy where a ladder of this type is used for the installation or repair of roadside advertising signs.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided a novel, sturdy, durable, and economical combination ladder. With the instant invention I have employed a new arrangement for extension ladder construction. I have also produced added stability for stepladder construction. Further, it will be noted that the single device may be used in a multiplicity of ways, such, for example, as a stepladder, as an extension ladder, and as two separate ladders.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claim.

I claim as my invention:

In a, ladder, a, front ladder section, a rear ladder section having notches in its side rails near its upper end, U-shaped holding members secured to the front upper end of said front ladder section and having bights positioned to drop into said respective notches when the ladder sections are spread for use as a step-ladder, a spring-detent on each of said rear ladder section side rails to automatically lock said holding members in said notches against accidental dislodgment, and a bar extending across said rear ladder section serving as a common actuator for releasing both of said detents when desired.

LOUIS ST. CYR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 105,126 Pullman July 5, 1870 145,858 Fling et al. Dec. 23, 1873 524,270 Wimbush Aug. 7, 1894 551,073 Burgedahl Dec. 10, 1895 610,487 Hoover Sept. 6, 1898 677,651 Frizell July 2, 1901 1,035,770 Blair Aug. 13, 191 1,351,146 Zirlini Aug. 31, 192 1,401,257 Houghtaling Dec. 27, 1921 1,984,655 Rassmussen Dec. 18, 1934 1,996,133 White Apr. 2, 1935 2,133,003 Webster Oct. 11, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 25,865 Sweden July 2, 1907 161,791 Switzerland May 31, 1933 422,040 Great Britain Jan. 3, 1935 444,967 Great Britain Apr. 1, 1936 

